Method for removing material from the interior of articles



May 27, 1969 Sheet of 4 R. E, MOELLER T METHOD. FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE INTERIOR OF ARTICLES Original Filed Sept. 22, 1964 .INVENTORS. R E. MUELLER ROBERT G. LOVE FORREST C. PITTMAN don, o zabt,

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R. E. MOELLER ET AL May 27, 1969 3,446,667 METHOD FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE INTERIOR OF ARTICLES I Original Filed Sept. 22, L964 Sheet 2 of 4 i N ,9 9. N cu g} Q g Q g9 2 0' h) 5 g a 8 j 5 2 q- Q 9 00 s I V. w"... Q 6 .6 mm: 9 $554 2-: g

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FORREST C. PITTMAN R. E. MOELLER ET AL METHOD FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE May 27, 1969 Shee t INTERIOR OF ARTICLES Original Filed Se t. 22, 1.964

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INVENTORS,

-R. E. MOELLER ROBERT G. LOVE 4 FORREST C, PIITMAN fla 666 #1864,-

ATTORNEY):

U.S. Cl. 13423 United States Patent 3,446,667 METHOD FOR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM THE INTERIOR OF ARTICLES R. E. Moeller, Robert G. Love, and Forrest C. Pittman, Duncan, 0kla., assignors to Halliburton Company, Duncan, Okla, a corporation of Delaware Original application Sept. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 398,267, now Patent No. 3,270,754, dated Sept. 6, 1966. Divided and this application Feb. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 563,307

Int. Cl. B08b 3/02, 9/18 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Method for removing material from the interior of open-ended articles entailing the lowering of the article over a probe from which material-removing jets are issuing. The article is lowered so that the jets cut a series of circumferentially spaced, generally vertically extending channels. Subsequent to the forming of the vertical channels, the article is rotated so that the jets cut through the material generally transversely of the vertically extending channels.

Related application This application is a division of our prior application, Ser. No. 398,267, filed Sept. 22, 1964 for method and apparatus for moving material from the interior articles, now United States Patent No. 3,270,754, dated Sept. 6, 1966, assigned to the assignee of the present application.

General background objects and summary of invention This invention relates to methods for removing material from the interior of open ended particles. In particular it relates to the removal of explosives such as solid propellants from the interior of generally cylindrical housings such as rocket motor cases.

It is well known that explosives which have been stored for certain periods of time may become functionally unreliable. For this reason, it is often necessary to dispose of explosives which have been in storage in excess of an allowable time period. However, in accomplishing this disposal, it may be desirable to salvage the housings containing such overage explosives for future reuse.

It has long been recognized that jets of high pressure fluids may be employed to remove overage explosives from cylindrical housings. However, techniques, heretofore employed have been characterized by substantial disadvantages.

In general, devices employed to remove overage explosives from their housings have been characterized by such structural complexity as to not be readily movable from site to site. In addition, many devices have been incapable of effectively and safely handling large explosive units such as modern propellant motor cases. Many devices which have utilized high pressure jets to remove explosives have not been able to successfully handle fluid pressures of a very high magnitude.

A large number of explosive removal devices previously developed have presented problems from the standpoint of removing cutting s, i.e. jetted away explosive segments, from the jetting site so as to avoid interference with the explosive removal operation.

Other difficulties have been encountered in maintaining a substantially uniform material removal rate and in forming cuttings of a generally uniform size.

In recognition of the need for an improved fluid jetting type of material removing apparatus and technique, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods for removing material from the interior of articles which substantially obviate disadvantages such as those heretofore described.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide such improved methods which can successfully handle highpressure, material removing jets over sustained periods of time.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such improved methods which may be used in removing relatively large volumes of explosive materials, such as propellants, from rocket motor cases and to tend to form cuttings of a substantially similar size.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide an improved jet material removing technique by means of which relatively large segment shaped cuttings may be formed.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide an improved method entailing the use of apparatus which is portable and which is capable of accommodating a variety of article shapes, sizes and configurations.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved methods including a continuously operable and effective system for collecting and recovering cuttings.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such improved methods wherein the cuttings do not adversely interfere with subsequent jetting or material removing operations.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such improved methods which provide for selectively variable and independently controllable relative rotation and axial movement between an article and a jet forming mechanism.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such improved methods by means of which fluid spray generated during the material removing operation is effectively contained.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide such improved methods wherein the material cutting jets may be selectively directed as required so as to remove material from article niches or partially shielded areas of the article interior.

One method aspect of the invention entails a sequence of manipulative events including the erection of tower means. Subsequent to the erection of the tower means, article holding means are lowered therefrom. An article is then connected to the article holding means with its open end facing generally downwardly. The article holding means is then raised with the article connected thereto. Fluid discharging means and generally cylindrical housing or shielding means are then moved in unison into axial alignment with and beneath the elevated article, with there being an annular space between the fluid discharging means and the housing means. The article holding means is then lowered so that the article connected thereto is moved into the annular space between the fluid discharging means and the housing means. Fluid jets are discharged from stationary nozzles of the fluid discharging means into the lower end of the article so as to cut away material contained therewithin.

Another aspect of the inventon involves the directing of a plurality of spaced jets of pressurized fluid generally radially outwardly from the axis of the article so as to impinge upon material contained therewithin while the article is being moved vertically. These jets cut generally vertical channels extending generally radially through the material with reference to the central axis of the article. After such vertical and radially extending channels have been formed, the article is then rotated so that the jets cut through the material generally transversely of the vertically extending channels. In this manner generally wedge shaped cuttings of a generally similar size and configuration may be formed.

Still another method aspect of the invention involves the directing of jets of pressurized fluid generally outwardly from a central axis of the article so as to impinge upon material contained within the article, with the jets being inclined upwardly from a vertical axis at an angle not exceeding about 90. Thereafter, jets of pressurized fluid are directed generally outwardly from the central axis of the article so as to impinge upon material contained Within the article with the jets at this point being inclined generally downwardly, i.e. inclined downwardly from a vertical axis at an angle exceeding 90.

Drawings In describing the invention reference will be made to a preferred apparatus embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic, side elevational view of the overall apparatus with the tower means erected and illustrating the initial loading of a rocket motor case from which propellant material is to be removed;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic, side elevational view of the FIGURE 1 apparatus showing the loaded case in its elevated position and a composite, fluid discharging and cylindrical housing assembly moved into axial alignment with and beneath the elevated case;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic, side elevational view of the FIGURE 1 apparatus illustrating the lowering of the case over the jet forming, fluid discharging means and into the spray shielding housing of the apparatus to initiate the propellant material removing operation;

FIGURE 3a is a schematic, fragmentary, end elevational view of the FIGURE 1 apparatus as viewed along section line 3a-3a of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic, enlarged, side elevational view of the FIGURE 1 apparatus illustrating structural details not shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary, partially sectioned, and elevational view of article holding elevating, and rotating components of the FIGURE 1 apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the FIGURE 5 assembly as viewed along the section line 6-6;

FIGURE 7 is a partially sectional, enlarged, and fragmentary view of the apparatus as viewed along the section line 77 of FIGURE 4 and illustrating structural details of the fluid discharging means of the apparatus; I

FIGURE 8 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary, sectioned, and elevational view of the upper end of the fluid discharging means shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, schematic, fragmentary and partially sectioned plan view of a filter mechanism associated with the FIGURE 4 apparatus and utilized to receive cuttings removed during the jetting operation; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged, schematic view illustrating channels which may be formed in material being removed from an article interior so as to form generally similarly sized and configured, wedge shaped cuttings or segments of propellant material.

FIGURES 1 through 9 illustrate, in varying detail, structural details of a preferred portable apparatus which may be utilized in the field for removing propellant material from the interior of rocket motor cases.

Principal apparatus components Principal components of this portable apparatus include skid means 1 and tower means 2. Conventional pivot means 3 connect the tower means 2 with the skid means 1 whereby the tower means 2 may be pivoted toward the skid means for storage and transporting purposes. Tower securing, bracing means 4 are provided to releasably secure the tower means 2 in a generally upright or vertical position as shown in FIGURE 1.

A holding means 5 is provided for supporting rocket motor 6. An elevating means 7, carried by tower means 2, is provided for raising and lowering the holding means 5 along a generally vertical and stationary axis, A drive means 8 is provided for rotating the holding means 5 about a generally vertical axis. A fluid discharging means 9 is adapted to remain stationary while entering the open lower end of a motor 6 which is being lowered on the holding means 5 and to direct fluid jets against propellant material to be removed from the article.

The apparatus further includes removed propellant material receiving means 10 for collecting the propellant cuttings which are removed from the motor 6 by jets discharging from the fluid discharging means 9.

Structural details of major components As shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, skid means 1 may comprise a pair of elongate and generally parallel, bevel ended, channel members 101 and 102. Channel members 101 and 102 may be rigidly interconnected by transverse bracing means such as the schematically shown framing components 103 and 104.

Skid means 1 may be provided with a bracket 105 for supporting the tower means 2 in an inclined position as hereinafter described. Bracket 105 may comprise a pair of channel members each of which defines an upwardly inclined extension of a skid channel member. One such channel member 106 extends upwardly from, and is rigidly connected with, the skid channel 101. The upper ends of the two inclined, bracket channel members projecting from the skid channel members 101 and 102 may be rigidly interconnected by a transverse framing member 107. One or more framing members 108 are rigidly connected to transverse framing member 107 and project generally vertically upwardly and support a tower cradle means 109 as schematically shown.

Tower means 2 comprises a pair of laterally spaced, but parallel channel members 201 and 202 which are rigidly interconnected by transverse framing members such as the schematically shown framing members 203, 204 and 205. Transverse tower member 204 is so positioned as to be receivable in nested relationship upon the cradle means 109 when the tower means 2 is pivoted counterclockwise as shown in FIGURE 1 toward the skid means 1 for storage or transporting purposes.

Pivot means 3 includes a pair of apertured, link-like members 301 and 302 which are rigidly connected to, and project from, the lower ends of the tower channel members 201 and 202. Two link receiving pivot mounts 303 and 304 are rigidly mounted on skid means 1 by conventional framing not shown. Tower channel member 202 is pivotally connected to pivot mount 304 by a conventional rod like pivot shaft 305 which extends transversely through the assembly 304 and intersects an apertured portion of link 302. Similarly, a conventional rod like pivot shaft 306 transversely intersects pivot mount 303 and an apertured portion of link 301 so as to pivotally secure the tower channel member 201 to the pivot mount 303.

Pivotable movement of tower means 2 about pivot means 3 may be conveniently accomplished by a conventional, hydraulic tower erecting mechanism. This hydraulic tower lifting mechanism, which may be viewed as a component of tower means 2, includes a pair of identical piston and cylinder assemblies. One such assembly, as shown in FIGURE 4, includes a cylinder 206 housing piston means including a piston rod 207 which projects therefrom. Cylinder 206- is connected by a conventional pivot mount 208 to a framing assembly 209, which assembly extends transversely between channel members 101 and 102. Piston rod 207, at its outer end, is connected by a conventional pivot connection 210 to transverse, tower framing member 205.

Pressurized hydraulic fluid may be supplied to the cylinders 206 in a conventional fashion so as to cause the selective extension or retraction of the piston rods 207, in unison, so as to cause the raising or lowering, respecticely of the tower means 2.

When the tower means 2 is disposed in its generally upright or vertically extending position as shown in FIG- URES 1 through 4, it is desirable to provide means for releasably securing the tower means 2 in this operational position.

The tower securing means 4 may comprise a plurality of strut-like members extending between the skid means 1 and the tower means 2. Thus, skid means 1 may be provided with a pair of transversely apertured, strut mounts 401 and 402 which are rigidly connected to transverse framing member 103. A pair of struts 403 and 404 may be pivotally connected to mount 401 by a conventional pivot pin 405. A conventional threaded fastener 406 may detachably secure the upper end of strut 403 to a transversely apertured mounting car 407 which is rigidly attached to transverse, tower means framing member 203. Similarly, a conventional threaded fastener 408 may detachably secure the upper end of strut 404 to a transversely apertured car 409 which is rigidly connected to transverse, tower means framing member 204.

Another pair of struts 410 and 411 extend respectively from tower means framing members 203 and 204 to pivot mount 402. Conventional threaded fasteners 412 and 413 detachably secure the upper ends of struts 410 and 411 to mounting ears 414 and 415 which are secured, respectively, to framing members 203 and 204.

As will be apparent, by removing the threaded fasteners 412 and 413, 406 and 408, the struts 410, 411, 402, and 403 may be detached from the tower means 2 so as to enable the tower means to be folded toward the skid means 1 and cradled upon the tower cradle means 109. With the tower means thus folded toward the skid means 1, the struts 402, 403, 410 and 411 may be pivoted about the pivot mounts 401 and 402, in a generally clockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 4, so as to rest upon components of the skid means 2.

Clamping means 5 is adapted to embracingly engage and clamp the cylindrical periphery of the rocket motor 6.

Clamping means 5 includes a top plate 501 having a generally frustoconical, upwardly projecting center portion 502. Plate 501 may be of a generally circular configuration in plan view. A lower plate 503 of lesser diameter than top plate 501 may be connected to the lower side of top plate 501 by conventional fastening means not shown, such as threaded fasteners.

An arcuate support plate 504 may be attached on one end to lower plate 503 by conventional fastening means such as welding so as to project axially downwardly away from the top plate 501. Support plate 504 preferably has a circumferential extent of less than 180.

Support means 5 further includes a first, generally semicylindrical clamping plate 505 and a second, generally semicylindrical clamping plate 506. Clamping plate 505 is provided with a resilient lining 507 which may be fabricated, for example, from sponge rubber while clamping plate 506 is provided with a similar resilient lining 508. Hinge means 509, having a generally vertical hinge axis, hingedly interconnect clamping plates 505 and 506.

Clamping plate 505 may be provided with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting webs by means of which it is detachably connected to radially inwardly projecting Webs carried by the support plate 504. One such web connecting arrangement is shown in FIGURE 6. As there shown, a vertically extending web 510 formed on support plate 504 contiguously overlaps a web 511 carried on clamp plate 505. Conventional threaded fasteners 512 serve to detachably connect the webs 511 and 510 so as to detachably secure the hingedly interconnected clamping plates 505 and 506 to the support plate 504, Through this detachable clamp mounting arrangement, hingedly interconnecting clamping plates may be replaced as required in accordance with the dimensions and shapes of individual rocket cases to be handled by the apparatus.

A pair of schematically shown, conventional, overcenter latches 513 and 514 may be employed to interconnect the free edges of the clamping plates 505 and 506. As will be appreciated, such latching mechanisms will 6 tend to draw with the free edges 505a and 506a of the clamping plates 505 and 506 together while the clamps are being secured.

The clamping plates 505 and 506 may be tailored such that they may be closed about the periphery of a particular size of rocket motor case in substantially embracing engagement. When the overcenter latches 513 and 514 are closed, the plates 505 and 506 are tightly constricted about the cylindrical periphery of the rocket motor 6, with the liners 507 and 508 being compressed between the plates 505 and 506 and the rocket case periphery. In this fashion, the clamping means 5 is effectively clamped about the rocket motor 6 and capable of supporting the weight of the rocket motor while the holding means 5 is elevated. As will be apparent, the rocket motor case 6 will be secured by the holding means 5 with its open end facing generally downwardly.

A typical rocket motor case 6 to be handled by the apparatus will have a cylindrical side wall 601 and an open end 602. The upper end 603 of the rocket motor case will either be closed or have an aperture which will be closed by a conventional threaded plug during the pro pellant removing operation. Ordinarily, the propellant charge 604 contained within the interior of the rocket motor case will be annular in configuration, i.e., will have a central passage 605 extending axially through the motor case. Rocket case reinforcing rings, such as the schematically shown ring 606, may project into the propellant charge.

Elevating means 7 includes a vertically movable frame 701 which is mounted for reciprocation on the rail defining, channel members 201 and 202 of the tower means 2. Frame means 701 may include mirror image configured side wall portions 702 and 703 which are interconnected by an arcuate leading edge portion 704. Frame means 701 may further include a top plate 705 having an aperture 706 as shown in FIGURE 5.

Bearing or slide-like abutments 707 are rigidly carried on frame means side plates 701 and 703. As schematically shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, these slide-like abutments 707 project inwardly from the side plates of slide means 701 so as to be disposed on opposite sides of each of the tower channel members 201 and 202 and slidably engage these tower components. In this fashion, the frame means 701 is slidably mounted on the rail-defining tower channel members 201 and 202 and stabilized on these tower components so as to be able to project generally outwardly in a cantilever fashion.

Conventional and schematically shown hoisting means are provided on frame means 701. This hoisting means may include a pneumatically operated winch 708 which is supported upon a generally U-shaped bracket 709 as shown in FIGURE 5. A flexible hoisting chain 710 extends from hoist 708 to a swivel joint 711 having a vertical axis of swivel movement. A conventional hook 712 may be employed to detachably connect the swivel joint 711 with an eye 515 which projects upwardly from, and is threadably connected to, the plate projection 502. An open top, semicylindrical container 713 may be provided to contain and receive the free end of the hoisting chain 710.

As illustrated, the chain 710, swivel joint 711, and hook 712 are disposed so as to be movable vertically through the aperture 706 of the frame means 701.

As will be understood, the pneumatically operated winch 708 may be employed to maintain a continuous upward biasing force on the holding means 5 or may in clude a conventional, self-actuating, braking mechanism so as to positively secure the holding means 5 at any desired position of elevation.

Vertical raising and lowering of the frame means 701 on tower means 2 may be accomplished by a conventional hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement. This arrangement may include a cylinder 211 which is mounted upon a bracket 212 extending between links 301 and 302 as shown in FIGURE 3a. Cylinder 211 houses piston means including a piston rod 213 which projects upwardly to engage a bracket 214 on tower means 701. By means of conventional fluid coupling arrangements and a conventional source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and conventional flow control means, not shown, the frame means 701 may be selectively elevated or lowered along the tower means 2 as desired.

Structural details of drive means 8 which is employed to rotate holding means 5 about a generally vertical axis are shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

Drive means 8 includes a clutch-like, drive plate 801 having a central aperture 802. Aperture 802 has a diameter conforming generally to the diameter of the base of projection 502 of top plate 501. As illustrated, aperture 802 may be sloped upwardly so as to conform generally to the conical configuration of the base portion of the projection 502.

An annular ring gear 803 is connected to drive plate 801 by conventional fastening means such as the schematically shown, threaded fasteners 804. A mounting ring 805 is connected to plate 705 of frame means 701 by conventional fastening means such as the schematically shown, threaded fasteners 806. Mounting ring 805 and ring gear 803 are interconnected by bearing means such as the schematically shown, ball bearings 807. In this fashion, ring gear 803 is mounted on frame means 701 for rotation about a generally vertical axis when the tower means 2 is upright.

A pinion-type drive gear 808, having a vertical axis of rotation when the tower means 2 is erected, is mounted upon a shaft 809 extending from a conventional, pressurized fluid operated motor 810. Motor 810, as schematically shown, is mounted upon frame means plate 705. Drive gear 808 is supported on shaft 809 so as to be in meshing and driving engagement with the interior, toother portion of ring gear 803.

Clamping means are incorporated in drive means 8 to releasably secure the drive plate 801 to the top plate 501 of the holding means 5 in a generally clutch-like fashion. The clamping means are carried by and movable with the drive plate 801 and comprise a plurality of pivoted clamps 811. As shown in FIGURE 6, the preferred embodiment includes three symmetrically disposed clamps 811. Each such clamp 811 is pivotally supported on a conventional pivot mount 812. A pivot shaft 813 of each such mount has a pivot axis extending generally perpendicular to a radius extending from the axis of rotation of the drive plate 801.

Each clamp 811 has a generally C-shaped portion 814 which projects generally outwardly from the drive plate 801 and an operating lever portion 815 which projects generally toward the axis of rotation of the drive plate 801. As illustrated, the C-shaped clamp portion 814 is adapted to curve around the edges of the abutting drive plate 801 and top plate 501 so as to engage the underside of the top plate 501 and clutchingly press it against the underside of drive plate 801. A conventional compression-type coil spring 816 is mounted on the top of the drive plate 801 is association with each clamp 811. Each spring 816 engages the underside of a clamp lever portion 815 so as to bias the C-shaped clamp portion 814 into the position shown in FIGURE 5 where it holds the top plate 501 against the drive plate 801. With a clamp 811 thus disposed, its lever portion 815 is inclined slightly upwardly and away from the pivot shaft 813.

As will be appreciated, the alignment of the plates 501 and 801 which enables the clamps 811 to hold them securely together is insured by the cooperation of the projection 502 with the aperture 802.

A clamp releasing mechanism is carried by the plate 705 of the frame means 701. This clamp releasing means is adapted to engage the lever portions 815 of the clamps 811 so as to release the clamps from the plate 501 and allow the plate 501 to be disengaged from the drive plate 801.

This clamp releasing means includes a ring 817 which is carried by the plate 705 of the frame means 7 01 above the clamp lever portions 815 as shown in FIGURE 5. Ring 817 is supported on plate 705 by a plurality of rod and spring assemblies symmetrically disposed about the ring 817. In the preferred embodiment, three such assemblies may be provided, each including a rod 818 which is threadably engaged to the ring 817 and projects upwardly through a plate aperture 705a and has an enlarged upper end which may be formed by a washer and nut assembly 819. A conventional coil spring 820 extends between the assembly 819 and the top of the plate 705 and encircles the rod 818. Each spring 820 is a compression type spring and tends to urge its associated rod 818 upwardly so as to hold the ring 817 against the underside of the plate 705 and thus out of contact with the clamp lever portions 815.

The lowering or depression of the rings 817 into clamp releasing engagement with the clamp lever portions 815 is accomplished by a plurality of pressurized fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies which also are symmetrically disposed about the ring 817 and carried by the plate 705. In the preferred embodiment, three such assemblies may be provided. Each such assembly may include a cylinder defining housing 821 and may contain a piston 822 having a piston rod 823 extending through a plate aperture 70% into threaded engagement with the ring 817. By supplying pressurized fluid through a conventional conduit 824 under the influence of conventional control means, not shown, the pistons 822 may be simultaneously depressed or moved downwardly so as to in turn move the ring 817 downwardly into clamp-releasing engagement with the clamp lever portions 815. As will be appreciated, when the ring 817 engages the clamp lever 815, the C-shaped clamp portions 814 are pivoted generally upwardly and outwardly out of engagement with the top plate 501.

As ilustrated, engagement and disengagement of the clamp portions 814 with the underside of the top plate 501 may be facilitated by a beveled, lower edge 501a of plate 501 as shown in FIGURE 5.

As schematically shown in FIGURE 1 and shown in further detail in FIGURE 4, fluid discharging means 9 and removed material receiving means 10 comprises a unitary or composite assembly which is movable into and out of axial alignment with an elevated article supporting holding means 5.

Fluid discharging means 9 of this assembly includes first tubular conduit means 901 having a generally vertical axis and second tubular conduit means 902 which also has a generally vertical axis. As illustrated in FIGURE 7, second conduit means 902 is mounted coaxially within and is spaced from first conduit means 901 so as to define one fluid flow path 903 within the second conduit means 902 and another, flow path 904 which is of an annular gharacter and lies between the conduit means 901 and A manifold-like spray head 905 sealingly engages the upper ends 901a and 902a of the conduit means 901 and 902 respectively. As shown in FIGURE 8, the upper end 901a of first conduit means 901 threadably and sealingly engages an internally threaded portion 905a of manifold 905. The upper end 902a of second conduit means 902 is provided with sealing means such as convention O-rings 906. Upper end 802a of conduit means 902 is telescopingly received within a bore-like portion 905b of manifold 905, with the seal rings 906 sealingly interconnecting the conduit end 902a with the bore 905b. As illustrated, a body portion 9050 of manifold 905 prevents fluid communication between the upper ends 901a and 902a of the conduits 901 and 902 respectively.

A plurality of jet defining nozzles 907 are carried by the spray head or manifold 905 and communicate with the upper end of the conduit 901 so as to be in fluid communication with the passage 904. Three such nozzles 907,

for example, may be provided with each nozzle 907 having an axis inclined generally downwardly as shown in FIG- URE 8, i.e., inclined at an angle of inclination measured downwardly from a vertical axis and exceeding 90.

A second plurality of nozzles 908 are carried by the manifold 905 in fluid communication with the upper end 902a of the inner conduit 902, so as to communicate with the central flow passage 903. For example, three such nozzles 908 may be provided which are symmetrically disposed about the common longitudinal axes of the conduit means 901 and 902. Each nozzle 908 is inclined downwardly away from a vertical axis at an angle not exceeding about 90. While the nozzles 908 may be inclined so as to direct jets horizontally, in the arrangement shown in FIGURE 8, the nozzles 908 are included so as to direct jets outwardly and somewhat upwardly.

Manifold 905 may also be provided with a plurality of nozzles 909 which are symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal and vertical axis of the conduits 901 and 902, which nozzles 909 also communicate with the passage 903. As shown, the nozzles 909 are inclined at an angle measured downwardly from a vertical axis so as to direct jets upwardly above the jets defined by the nozzles 908, i.e., the angle of inclination of the jets 909 measured downwardly from the vertical axis is less than the angle of inclination of the jets 908 measured downwardly from the same axis.

As schematically shown in FIGURE 7, first conduit means 901 may be mounted in a T-fitting 910 which is connected through conventional couplings and a conventional valve 911 to a conduit 912 adapted to supply pressurized liquid such as water from a conventional source, not shown.

' Second conduit means 902 passes through T-fitting 910 and is connected with a conduit section 913. This latter conduit section communicates through another T-fitting 914 with a conventional valve 915. Fitting 914 may be supported on a base 916 so as to close its lower end. As illustrated, valve 915 is connected by conventional coupling means to supply conduit 912.

As will be appreciated, a flow of pressurized liquid from conduit 912 to nozzles 907 may be selectively controlled by valve 911. The flow of pressurized liquid from the supply conduit 912 to the nozzles 908 and 909 may be selectively controlled by the valve 915. With this arrangement, fluid flow through the nozzles 907 may be varied in intensity or interrupted independent of the flow through the nozzles 908 and 909. Similarly, flow through the nozzles 908 and 909 may be varied or interrupted independent of the flow through the nozzles 907.

The removed material receiving means 10 includes a generally cylindrical housing 1001 which has an open upper end 1001a and a downwardly converging base 1002 which terminates at its lower end in a flexible, conventional conduit 1003. Conduit 901 intersects base 1002 in sealed relation therewith as schematically shown.

As will be apparent from the drawings, cylindrical housing 1001 encircles conduit means 901 and 902 in generally concentric relationship with these conduit means. As shown in FIGURE 7, the upper end 1001a of cylindrical housing 1001 extends somewhat above the jet defining spray head 905 and is radially spaced from this spray head and the portions of the conduit means 901 which projects above the base 1002.

Cylindrical housing 1001 may be provided with a hinged, door-like member 1004 to provide convenient access to the interior of the housing 1001. As schematically shown, member 1004 may be provided with transparent window means 1005. Three symmetrically arranged, leg-like components 1006 support the cylindrical housing 1001 above a horizontally slidable base 1007 and connect the housing 1001 to this base.

As will be apparent, the lateral width of platform 1007 will be such as to enable the platform to move horizontally between the tower pivot mounts 303 and 304 when the housing 1001 is moved toward the tower means 2 so as to bring the fluid discharging means into axial alignment with a rocket motor 6. When the housing 1001 is moved away from the tower means 2, as shown schematically in FIGURE 1, the base 1007 may provide a working platform to facilitate the loading of a rocket motor 6 on the article holding means 5.

'Base 1007 may be supported on rail means carried by the skid means 1 for horizontal sliding movement into and out of axial alignment with the elevated holding means 5.

As schematically shown in FIGURE 4, base 1007 may be supported on rail-like upper surfaces of the skid channels 101 and 102. A block-like base portion 1008 may project downwardly from the lower surface of the base 1007 into the space between the rail defining channels 101 and 102. Base portion 1008 may engage opposing side faces of these channelm-embers so as to stabilize and guide the base 1007 through its sliding movement along the channel members 101 and 102.

A conventional, pressurized fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly is employed for moving the removed material receiving means 10 and the fluid discharging means 9 horizontally along the rail defining skid means 1.

This assembly, as schematically shown in FIGURE 4,

includes a cylinder 1009 which is mounted on a bracket 1010. This bracket is secured between the skid channels 101 and 102 in a conventional fashion. Piston means contained within the cylinder 1009 includes a piston rod 1011. This rod projects from the cylinder 1009 and engages, at its outer free end, a bracket 1012 which is connected to guide block 1008 as schematically shown. As will be appreciated, by selectively supplying pressurized fluid to the cylinder 1009 from a conventional source, not shown, and under the control of conventional pressurized fluid control means, also not shown, the fluid discharging means 9 and removed material receiving means 10 may be moved horizontally in unison into and out of axial alignment with the elevated article holding means 5.

A filter assembly 1013 is associated with the removed material receiving means 10 and is connected with the housing means 1001 by the flexible conduit 1003. As will be appreciated, this filter assembly 1013 may remain stationary while the housing means 1001 is moved, by virtue of the flexible nature of the interconnecting conduit 1003.

As schematically shown in FIGURES 4 and 9, filter assembly 1013 includes a coarse filtering assembly comprising alternately operable, first and second filter sections 1014 and 1015 respectively. This coarse filtering assembly includes a common housing 1016 and an upper plate 1017 which defines a continuation of the conduit means 1003 and supports two filter baskets 1018 and 1019 in first and second filter sections 1014 and 1015 respectively. A flow-diverting plate 1020, mounted on a conventional pivot mount 1021, is horizontally pivotable so as to be able to selectively seal ofl? either the filter 1019 or the filter 1018 from. the flow of cuttings and liquid discharging from the conduit 1003. With the flow diverting plate 1020 disposed as shown in FIGURE 9, the flow of cuttings and liquid from the conduit 1003 passes through the filter section 1018. When the filter 1018 is filled to capacity, the flow diverting plate may be moved counterclockwise, as shown in FIGURE 9, so as to seal ofi the filter 1018 and divert the flow of cuttings and liquid to the other filter section 1019. The filter 1018 may then be removed and be cleaned while liquid and cuttings are passing through the filter section 1019.

A conduit 1022 extends from the base of the housing 1016 to a conventional fluid pump 1023- which serves to pump the coarse filtered flow of cuttings and liquid through a conduit string 1024 to a fine filter assembly 1025. As schematically illustrated, fine filter assembly 1025 includes a filter basket 1026 which is supported within a housing 1027. Housing 1027 may be provided with a conventional, outlet defining conduit 1028 for the discharge of filtered liquid.

As shown schematically in FIGURE 4, filter assembly 1013 may be supported upon skid means 1029 to facilitate the positioning of the assembly, as desired, in relation to the skid means 1.

Mode of operation With the structural details of the apparatus having been described, its mode of operation may now be delineated.

As schematically shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, it may be desirable to support the apparatus above the ground for a cleaning operation. Where this is desirable, the skid channels 101 and 102 may be conventionally supported upon transverse timbers such as the schematically shown timbers X and Y.

The apparatus, upon its arrival at an operations site, will be disposed with the tower means 2 folded toward the skid means 1, Le, the tower framing member 204 will be cradled on the cradle means 109. In order to erect the tower means 2, the piston rods 207 are simultaneously extended so as to pivot the tower means 2 clockwise as shown in FIGURE 1. After the tower means has been erected so as to extend generally vertically upright. the struts 403, 404, 410 and 411 are connected to the tower framing components 203 and 204 so as to secure the tower means 2 in its upright position.

In preparation for rocket motor case loading, the piston rod 213 will be in a retracted position so as to support the frame 701 at a low elevation as shown in FIGURE 1. If not previously accomplished, the clamping ring 817 will be depressed so as to move the clamps 811 out of clamping engagement with the plate 501 so that the hold- 2 ing means 5 may be lowered on the chain 710. The power winch 708 is then operated so as to lower the freed holding means 5 into the position generally shown in FIGURE 1 where it is disposed in close proximity to the base 1007. The overcenter clamps 513 and 514 may be freed so as to allow the clamp portions 505 and 506 to be opened to receive a rocket motor 6. With the rocket motor case 6 disposed between the opened clamp portions 505 and 506, these clamps portions may be closed about the rocket motor periphery so that the clamp liners 507 and 508 are pressed tightly against this periphery. Closing of the overcenter latches 513 and 514 constricts the clamp portion liners 507 and 508 about the rocket motor case peripheries so that the rocket motor case is firmly supported by the holding means 5 with its open end 602 facing downwardly.

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates the apparatus after a rocket motor 6 has been connected to the holding means 5. As there shown, the piston rod 1011 is extended to the right so as to displace the material receiving means 10 and fluid discharging means 9 from the vicinity of the tower means 2.

With the rocket motor 6 gripped by the holding means 5, the winch 708 may be again operated so as to raise the chain 710 and move the plate 501 upwardly into engagement with the drive plate 801. In moving upwardly, the top plate projection 502 will enter the drive plate aperture 802 soas to cammingly align these two plates. As will be appreciated, while the plate 501 is being moved into engagement with the drive plate 801, the clamp releasing ring 817 will be depressed downwardly so as to hold the clamp C-shaped portions 814 out of the travel path of the converging plate 501. When the plate 501 has been brought into function clutching engagement with the drive plate 801, the clamp releasing ring 817 may be retracted upwardly by the springs 820 as a result of the interrupting of the supply of fluid to the cylinders 821. This will allow the springs 816 to pivot the clamps 811 to their clamping position so that the C-shaped clamp portions 814 engage the underside of the plate 501 and hold it securely against the drive plate 801. As a safety measure, the winch 708 may be employed as an additional mechanism for securing holding means 5 against drive plate 801.

After effecting the clutched interengagement of the plates 501 and 801, the piston rod 213 may be extended upwardly so as to raise the frame means 701. Frame means 701 will be positioned at such an elevation as to insure that the housing means 1001 may be moved horizontally toward the tower means 2 into axial alignment with and beneath the rocket motor case 6 supported by the holding means 5. The axial alignment of the housing means 1001 with the elevated rocket motor 6 is schematically shown in FIGURE 2.

Under the influence of conventional control mechanisms, the piston rod 213 may be moved downwardly at a controlled rate so as to lower the frame means 701 and the holding means 5 which supports the rocket motor case 6, With the rocket case 6 moving downwardly, the stationary spray head 905 will enter the central passage 605 of the rocket motor case 6. Fluid jets discharged from the spray heads 905 will impinge upon the material 604 contained within the rocket motor case and cut channels through this material extending to the cylindrical wall 601.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a rocket motor case being lowered into the spray shielding housing 1001. As shown in FIGURE 7, as the spray defining head 905 enters the central passage 605, the propellant charge 604 and the cylindrical rocket case wall 601 moves into the annular space between the spray head 605 and the housing 1001.

With the rocket case rotating mechanism 8 being functionally independent of the rocket case lowering mechanism 7, the rocket motor case 6 may be manipulated in a variety of ways to facilitate the most elfective jetting pattern to cause the removal of propellant material 604.

While the rocket case 6 is being lowered, the motor 810 may be actuated by conventional control means to cause concurrent rotation of the drive plate 801 at a controlled rate and thus cause the rotation of the holding means 5 and the rocket motor 6. Such combined downward and rotary movement will cause jets issuing from the spray head 905 to cut a generally spiral pattern of cuttings away from the charge 604.

In certain instances it may be desirable to form wedge shaped segments or cuttings tending more positively toward a generally uniform cutting size. This may be accomplished, for example, by initially lowering the rocket motor 6 with jets issuing from the nozzles 908 with no rotary movement being imparted to the rocket motor. After the rocket case 6 has been lowered a predetermined extent, the lowering of the rocket case may be interrupted and the rocket case rotated so as to position the nozzles 908 midway between their formerly occupied positions. The non-rotating rocket case may then be raised with jets issuing from the nozzles 908 so as to form vertically and radially extending channels 607 disposed midway between the vertically and radially extending channels 607 formed while the rocket case was being lowered. The rocket case may then be relowered and rotated so that the jets issuing from the nozzles 908 out channels extending to the wall 601 and transversely intersecting the previously cut, vertical channels 607. This technique is particularly useful as a means for avoiding the forming of undesirably long spiral cuttings.

If the rocket case 6 is simultaneously lowered and rotated, the jets issuing from the nozzles 908 will cut a spiral pattern intersecting the previously formed, radially extending vertical channel 607. There will thus be formed a spiral-like channel pattern which will transversely intersect the vertical and radial channels 607 so as to form generally wedge-shaped cuttings 608 of propellant material.

Alternatively, after the vertical and radially extending channels 607 have been formed, the propellant motor case may be lowered to a particular degree and then held stationary at a particular elevation and rotated. With this form of rocket case manipulation, jets issuing from the nozzles 908 will form a substantially continuous, generally annular channel pattern through the material 604 and will form generally wedge shaped cuttings 608.

As will be appreciated, the propellant charge 604 may be bonded to the inner wall of the cylindrical casing 601. In practice, it has been found that the jets issuing from the nozzles of the spray head 905, in impinging upon the inner wall of the casing 601, will be deflected laterally so as to etfectively cut between the charge 604 and the casing 601 and free the cuttings from the rocket case so that they may fall by gravity onto the housing base 1002 and by flushed by liquid discharging from the spray head into the flexible conduit 1003. This cutting action may be facilitated by the entrainment of propellant material in the jet streams as they cut through the annular portion of the charge 604 in route to the wall 601.

As will be apparent, internal rocket case structure, such as the ring 606, will impede the flow of spray nozzles 908 so as to prevent the removal of material in niches above the ring 606 adjacent the junction of these rings with the motor case well 601. As illustrated in FIGURE 7, material may be removed from this zone by initiating the flow of jets from the nozzles 907 so that they are directed downwardly and outwardly and generally directly into this partially concealed area.

As will also be apparent, the downwardly directed force of jets issuing from the nozzles 907 may be employed to facilitate the removal of propellant residue not initially fully removed by the jets 908. For example, after the jets from the nozzles 908 have made an initial material removal while a rocket case 6 is being lowered, the case may be raised and pressurized fluid then directed from the nozzles 907 so as to cutaway residual propellant still adhering to the rocket motor case wall 601.

At the upper end 603 of the rocket motor, the top of the spray head 905 may abut the top of the rocket motor case so as to prevent the jets issuing from the nozzles 908 from completing the removal of material in the upper end of the rocket motor case 6. In this zone, the more upwardly inclined jets issuing from the nozzles 909 function to eflfectively remove propellant material above the spray head 905 which could not otherwise be efliciently removed.

As will be apparent, jets may be issued from nozzles 908 and 909 with there being no jets issued from the nozzles 907 and alternatively jets may be issued from the nozzles 907 with there being no flow from the jets 908 and 909. In this manner, the flow of jetting fluid is conserved and minimized, consistent with the forming of jets having an optimum material removing action.

As will be apparent, the desired pattern of jets issuing from the spray head 905 may be obtained by appropriate manipulation of the valves 911 and 915.

It is contemplated that water pressurized to as high as 20,000 pounds per square inch may be supplied to the discharging means 9. Ordinarily, however, the operating range of water pressure would extend from about 1,000 pounds per square inch to about 15,000 pounds per square inch. As will be appreciated, the length and diameter of the jet defining nozzles may vary depending upon the physical properties of the jetting liquid being utilized and the overall dimensional characteristics of the apparatus and the articles being treated.

As will be appreciated, pressurized fluids for operating the various motors and pistons of the apparatus may be supplied from conventional sources and controlled by conventional fluid flow control systems. The material removing liquid, which may comprise merely water, may be pressurized and supplied by conventional pump systems. These conventional mechanisms, if desired, may be truck or skid mounted consistent with the generally portable nature of the apparatus.

At the conclusion of a propellant removal operation, it may be desirable to move the apparatus to a new operation site. This may be readily accomplished by securing the holding means 5, as for example, against the drive plate 801, and by lowering the tower means 2 so that the tower cross bracing member 204 is cradled on the cradle means 109. The apparatus may then be easily transported or moved to a new site.

Advantages and scope of invention In describing the structure and mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the propellant removing apparatus, several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated.

The combination of the skid mount and hinged tower structure contributes to the ease with which the apparatus may be handled in a portable fashion and moved between operation sites.

The stationary nature of the fluid discharging means enables cleaning liquids to be employed under unusually high pressures. The stationary nozzle jetting arrangement, with the gravity induced removal of cuttings, insures that these cuttings do not impede subsequent jetting or material removing operations.

The movable nature of the fluid discharging means and the removed material receiving means facilitates the loading of an article from which material is to be removed. The unique combination of these components provides an easily positionable assembly which may be disposed as required for a material removing operation and which effectively shields spray generated during this operation.

The selectively variable pattern of jets issuing from the spray head conserves on cleaning fluid and enables jets to be directed so as to accomplish the most eflicient material removing action. As will be appreciated, with the nozzle and conduit means arrangement shown, the direction of cutting jets may be changed without interrupting the cleaning operation.

The technique of first forming radially extending vertical channels and then cutting transversely of these channels through material to be removed, provides a particularly etfective and reliable system for forming cuttings of a predictable and generally uniform size.

The diflerently oriented nozzles of the spray head in combination with the individualized control of fluid to these nozzles, enables the jetting pattern to be changed as required to removed material from otherwise inaccessible portions of article interiors.

The structural and individually operable characteristics of the elevating means 7 and rotary drive means 8 affords maximum operation reliability in combination with a wide range of variations in movements which may be imparted to the article from which material is to be removed. This drive arrangement particularly facilitates the imparting of controlled movements to the rocket motor case 6 so that the jetting assembly tends to form cuttings of a generally uniform size.

The removed material receiving means provides an effective and contained system for collecting cuttings. This system is continuously operable even though a portion of the filtering system included in this portion of the apparatus becomes temporarily clogged with cuttings.

The ability of the article holding means to be lowered from the elevating mechanism facilitates article loading and avoids the necessity of imparting excessive elevating movement to the elevating means 7 during an article loading operation. This arrangement also facilitates the handling of heavy articles such as rocket motor cases.

The characteristics of the holding means 5 are such as to enable this portion of the apparatus to be conveniently accommodated to a variety of article sizes and configurations and to be easily and rapidly secured to articles.

In describing the invention, reference has been made to preferred apparatus and method embodiments. However, those skilled in the material removing art and familiar 15 with the disclosure of this invention may well recognize additions, deletions, substitutions, or other modifications with reference to the preferred embodiments which would fall within the purview of the overall invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A method of removing material from the interior of open ended articles, said method comprising:

gripping an article so that an open end thereof faces generally downwardly; lowering said article along a generally vertical axis; directing a plurality of jets of pressurized fluid gen: erally radially outwardly from the axis of said article so as to impinge upon material contained within said article while said article is being moved vertically and cut generally vertical channels extending generally radially through said material with reference to the central axis of said article; and subsequent to said cutting of said generally vertical channels, rotating said article so that said jets cut through said material generally transversely of said vertically extending channels. 2. A method of removing material from the interior of open ended articles, said method comprising:

erecting pivotable tower means from a generally folded to an upright position; lowering article holding means from said erected tower means; connecting an article to said article holding means with an open end of said article facing generally downwardly; raising said article holding means with said article connected thereto; moving fluid discharging means and generally cylindrical housing means into axial alignment with and beneath said article with there being an annular space between said fluid discharging means and said cylindrical housing means; lowering said article holding means so that said article connected thereto is moved into the annular space between said fluid discharging means and said cylindrical housing means; discharging fluid jets from stationary nozzles of said fluid discharging means into the lower end of said article; and inducing lowering of said article relative to at least some of said fluid jets and rotation of said article relative to at least some of said fluid jets, with said lowering and said rotation of said article being operable to cause said jets to cut a plurality of generally longitudinally extending and circumferentially spaced first channel means in material within said article and second channel means generally transversely intersecting said first channel means.

3. A method of removing material from the interior of open ended articles, said method comprising:

providing tower means;

lowering article holding means from said tower means;

connecting an article to said article holding means with an open end of said article facing generally downwardly;

raising said article holding means with said article connected thereto;

moving fluid discharging means and generally cylindrical housing means into axial alignment with and beneath said article with there being an annular space between said fluid discharging means and said cylindrical housing means;

lowering said article holding means so that said article connected thereto is moved into the annular space between said fluid discharging means and said cylindrical housing means;

discharging fluid jets from stationary nozzles of said fluid discharging means into the lower end of said article so as to cut away material contained within said article;

said discharging of fluid jets comprising directing a plurality of spaced jets of pressurized fluid generally radially outwardly from the axis of said article so as to impinge upon material contained within said article while said article is being moved vertically and cut generally vertical channels extending generally radially through said material with reference to the central axis of said article; and

subsequent to said cutting of said generally vertical channels, rotating said article so that said jets cut through said material generally transversely of said vertically extending channels.

References Cited 50 MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH T. ZATARGA, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

